One of the beautiful things about Instagram is that you can discover incredibly inspiring people to connect with on a daily basis. I stumbled on Zoya’s profile a little over three weeks ago and decided that I wanted to know and share a small part of her story right here. Be inspired and enjoy the read.

“I’m a full time model with Ice Genetics, content creator and founder and editor of an online magazine, Three Magazine. Every day differs for me, depending on the season! Most days I have coffee and see what’s going on in the world, check in with my Three team members, check emails and work on Three or conceptualizing shoots. In between I might have a casting or shoot content for Instagram or my portfolio. I usually clock off at 6 unless I’m shooting a job that day. Hopefully I can get in 8 hours. I like sleeping. Oh I love sleeping.”

@clanelleburger (makeup) and @allister.christie (photography) on a beauty trend piece for @superbalist 🤟✨ The first is my favorite – see them all up on The Way of Us now x

Hair and Makeup: @tash_pops. Campaign: Foschini South Africa

As the founder of Three Magazine, please tell us what the Magazine is about?

“I began working as a freelance writer at 17 when I had my first piece published in Saltwater GIRL (I loved that mag as a teen so it was a big deal!). I loved a good Facebook rant and the things I would post revolved around social justice, human rights and trending social topics. The response I received urged me to start Apeiron, a blog, which I produced content for and managed myself while I worked as an editorial intern, then freelance content producer for Marie Claire when I was 21. Apeiron received good traffic because I soon realized, there were a lot of people in my age group who WANTED to know what was going on around them and converse about that but didn’t have that platform that engaged with them on these topics. When I was 23 I worked as acting online editor for Cosmopolitan and Marie Claire before beginning modeling full-time and deciding to focus on launching Apeiron as an online magazine, and bringing other people on board. Since then it’s evolved into Three, and we’re currently re-branding so the website is under construction. There are big things coming soon for us, and I’m really excited about it!

If I can summarise Three into three sentences it’d be: An online magazine for the creative youth, by the creative youth. Three aims to inform, empower and encourage the reader to create their own opinion on the world around them. We are a conscious, collaborative and inclusive platform for young South African creatives.”

What are some of the greatest lessons you’ve learned from being the founder and editor of your own publication?

“I’ve learned a LOT along the way and it’s been up and down. My main lessons for anyone starting their own anything are:

If you know the why of what you are doing (and there must always be a why) then you are on the right track. Keep going and remember that.

Ask. Don’t be scared to ask for advice. Find a mentor if you can in your field and do the research you need to.

Believe in yourself. Too many times I looked for validation that I was on the right track, but ultimately I needed to believe in what I was doing first before I could ask anyone else to.”

How long have you worked as a professional model?

“I’ve been modeling on and off from the age of 9, but I began working part-time consistently from 20, and full-time from 23. It’s a career I’m grateful to do because it challenges you and always brings something new. It’s taught me a lot about myself because you have to have a very solid idea of who you are to work consistently in such an appearance-based, and ever-changing industry.”

As an Asian-South African woman, what are some of the challenges that you contend within the modelling industry?

“I’ll speak frankly and say: There’s a lot of tokenism, which is expected with any POC in any industry… I’m typecast often. To do well, I realized I had a niche, and I had to capitalize on that so I made tokenism work for me in a way. I’ve always experienced ‘nice racism’, and my Asian heritage was made fun of growing up in a majority white community but modeling actually encouraged me to take ownership of that part of me (I’m half white), as something that made me unique. Hence my Instagram handle ;). Tbh being a petite model has been more challenging than anything. I was shot down by agencies, and I had to prove myself and make sure I was on my A game before I could shoot editorials locally, and now I’ve done worldwide campaigns. I hate hearing justifications for the height and size requirements, such as ‘tall models look better in clothes’ (what absolute bullshit) or ‘it’s just the sample size’ (then change that). It’s boring.”

In your opinion is the South African modelling industry working hard enough at becoming more inclusive?

“The local industry is very ahead of the curve in terms of inclusivity in my opinion. I see so many models of different sizes, ethnicities and looks doing the damn things for local brands and magazines. South African women are especially diverse, and I think the industry does well to reflect that.”

If you could only choose 5 items to wear for the rest of the year, what would they be? (Love your style, btw)

“Thank you xx

I probably only wear 5 things consistently in my closet already, which people can probably gather from Instagram LOL.

Winter conditions can be harsh on many things and most especially our skin and hair which demand for extra care to be taken during the colder months. Due to the harsh conditions which include dryness, hair experts advise women of colour to turn to protective hairstyles as a way to shield against breakage and to maintain healthy hair growth.

A protective hairstyle is one where the ends of the hair are covered usually by fibre or wool.

With wool becoming a more popular hair extension choice, we’ve found 3 must-have hair styles created and shared by some of the best black hair influencers on the gram.

Benny and Betty: This iconic hairstyle made up of blocks and woolen twists is no longer just a school girl’s essential but has fast become a hair trend among older women too. The simple and gentle woolen twists offer adequate protective covering of the hair that lasts between 1-2 weeks.

The beauty of this hairstyle is that it works with almost every hair length as the wool acts as both a lock and an extension.

Thankfully, there is no one size fits all formula when it comes to braids or the type of fibre available on the market. Whether you opt for Kanekelon (the smooth, silky extension) or wool fibre to create your box braids, Marley or nubian twists this season, braids are the fail-safe go-to for the ultimate protection and promotion of hair growth. For thicker braids and a greater array of colours, make wool extensions your first choice this season.

Express your hair creativity using a mixture of fibres, colours and your selection of textured elements to create unique headpieces. Play with a variety of proportions and plaiting techniques to create your ideal crown.

“I am the Fashion Editor at Essentials Magazine. I am in charge of product content creation for both our digital and print platforms, writing all fashion articles for both platforms, and conceptualising, styling our fashion editorials every month, as well as styling our cover stars.”

“As we head into the warmer months, there are two seemingly opposing chains of thoughts; be bold or laid back cool. So look out for both pops of bright neon and utility inspired clothing in muted hues (like sage green). When it comes to detailing, bow accents, dainty ruffles and fringe seem to be making a comeback.”

What advice would you give a young person wanting to work at a print publication?

“My advice would be to work on your digital acumen. That may sound weird, but digital media is taking over the industry. So stay ahead of the curve by immersing yourself with all things digital. From SEO development, to thinking of yourself as more of a content producer than a print writer.”

What have your career highlights been so far?

“Oh gosh, there have been so many, but two of my highlights are traveling internationally with companies that respect and work with our magazine; and working with Chef Nti for the cover we did with her. She is truly a self-made successful business woman (her story was so inspirational).”

How do you keep up with fashion and digital trends? Which sites or influencers do you follow?

“I’m lucky enough to be able to attend fashion shows, which are a pretty good indicator of what to look out for in terms of trends. Our local designers like Rich Mnisi, Mmuso Maxwell, and Black Coffee are a wonderful way to stay ahead of the trends and fashion curve. In terms of local influencers, I really like Palesa Mahlaba, Aqueelah Harron and of course Sarah Langa. They have individual style and a great work ethic which is inspiring to observe.”

“The free clothing of course! But seriously, I love being able to come up with new and interesting fashion concepts for every issue, and of course working with super creative photographers and makeup artists.”

You have your own natural hair blog, please tell us a little bit about that. What inspired you to start it and where can we find that?

“Oh gosh, it’s not a blog as of yet… Looking at the market and the move towards Instagram and YouTube has shifted my focus. So I would like to take that focus onto my Instagram account. The natural hair journey is long and challenging one, but you can look to my Instagram page for natural hair tips and tricks that have worked for me. I’m only about 2 and a half years natural, so I’m not rushing it. I share as I learn and grow in this journey.”

We may not be anywhere near summer or have the slightest desire to be seen in open toe shoes, however, one thing we can ascertain is that the vintage square toe shoes of the ‘90’s are back to reclaim their stop at the top of the “hottest accessories” list.

First we welcomed the re-emergence of the kitten heels and shortly after that dad’s retro sneakers became a hit. I now think it’s safe to say that the world of footwear has mastered the art of turning seemingly ‘ugly’ shoes into fashion must-haves.

Although pointed rodeo boots are all the rage at the moment, it’s only a matter of time before square fronts take over our Insta feeds.

By no means do I or have I ever considered myself a fashion forward or an early adopter so I’ll probably, if at all wait until this trend’s lifespan has matured until I throw my money at it however, if I were to give it a try right away these would be my reasons for doing so.

Square front= more room

Simply by judging the square fronts I can almost guarantee that there will be more than enough room for my toes to move around, which is great for the health of my baby toes. Secondly,

I have long feet so pointed toes are a NO!

Perhaps it’s just a personal hang up but I generally don’t feel too great about my feet looking longer than they need to. The square shape will always be a comfortable balance between sharp points and circular fronts.

Now to getting your fix

For now, there’s serious inspiration to be drawn from the Bottega Veneta’s Instagram page and on occasion the Insta stories of Leandra Medine of Man Repeller and Kourtney Kardashian however for a more practical approach, here’s our list of accessible square fronts.

The man on the left is my father, Themba Buthelezi and next to him stands his childhood best friend, Simon Mvubu. This is a picture of them taken on Father’s day 2018. They have both always been very fashion conscious and particular about the brands that they choose to wear. One of them sticks only with classic styles and silhouettes while the other is unafraid of hopping on the trend bandwagon every now and then and experimenting with a variety of prints, colours and styles.

I have chosen them as my style icons for this Father’s day wish list and so whether your dad is a classics man or a trend setter, we have the perfect gift inspo to make him a happy man this Sunday.

What has it been like working with brands that have a rich heritage yet also have a major influence on millennials?

“Working for an Italian brand has been phenomenal. It has been nothing but a privilege to have been a part of the revolution that Allesandro Michele has made into every millennials definition of what true fashion is right now. No boundaries, gender fluid and expressive.”

If it wasn’t luxury fashion, where do think you’d be working?

“My heart will always be in outreach to underprivileged schools and kids. I am on a journey to begin an outreach to schools in rural areas where myself and a few friends of mine have decided to start an NGO where we would be able to start assisting kids through all grade with financial aid, life skills, after school projects and counselling. We aim to start bridging a major gap that we have found with many schools that are in dire need of assistance with financial aid, after school activities and life skills.”

Where do you currently work and what do you do there?

“I currently work for Gucci and I am the Department manager for the store in Johannesburg.”

What have been some of the greatest rewards of working for brands such as Gucci and Louis Vuitton?

Louis Vuitton opened a door to find my passion in the fashion industry and styling. There is so much more to the fashion world apart from just clothing. Gucci gave me a platform to put forward my experience and grow myself. I started as a sales associate and built my way up. I have been able to travel the world, visit the fashion capital and discover the design process for some of the most iconic pieces known to the brand and that has just been the start of my career. I still feel like I have just unlocked my first chapter to this amazing adventure as there is so much to still experience.

What have been some of the greatest challenges you’ve encountered in retail?

“My greatest challenge has been adapting to situations. Fashion evolves and it takes a lot of dedication to keep yourself well informed about competing brands , product knowledge, customer relations; these are all the pieces that get the complete puzzle together.”

What do you wish people knew about working in fashion and especially retail?

“Retail can be so rewarding, but only if you put the time and effort into it. It isn’t easy and takes so much dedication and hard work. I have worked up to 15 hours a day sometimes. I started off as just a sales associate with no idea that it could lead me to such a magical career. It took me a few good years to become the Department Manager as that position had been created in South Africa specifically for me. It taught me perseverance and sacrifice, I gave up many family events, holidays and so many special occasions to be at work. Retail hours can be a nightmare. It was so tough at first but I get to travel the world now for amazing events, pre- screenings of seasons and even all expenses paid weeks to Italy as a reward for all my hard work. From the outside, society sees retail as just a poor little sales job that someone was lucky enough to get, but to be chosen to be an ambassador for such a prestigious international brand is every girl’s dream if they have a flair for fashion. Stick to your passion and work hard at what you believe you deserve.”

Is working in luxury fashion as glamorous for employees as it is for the brands’ customers?

It really is a glamorous job, sometimes we do have bad experiences but it comes with working face to face with people from different walks of life. But when it’s gets good it gets really good. Meeting famous people and growing relationships with people you’d never think you’d meet in your own world is nothing but magical. It’s encouraging to meet people who have worked extremely hard to be able to afford such expensive brands and even if they don’t necessarily buy from the store we meet many people who really do admire us for the brand we represent.

From the current collections in store right now, which 2 items for men and women would you recommend as the perfect gift?

My favourite piece at the moment is Flashtrek. An amazing collection of gender fluid shoes. I love that about Gucci; fluidity of genders, no boundaries and no rules to the fashion world.

Here’s a little bit about a star within the South African fashion industry that you have to know about.

What did you study?

Studied a Diploma in Fashion

Where did you study?

Spero Villioti Elite Design Academy

Can you tell us a little more about AFI PRIVE and what you do there?

AFI Privé is the In-House label for African Fashion International, it is a women’s wear brand that focuses on affordable luxury as well as once off custom made pieces for any occasion. I started in the Fastrack program (2017) and made it to top 3 in the competition. After the competition came to an end I was offered a position as one of the lead designers for the label. I have been able to design beautiful collections inspired by our African continent and showcased at African Fashion International Fashion Weeks.

Designing and working for Dr Precious Moloi Motsepe who is not only one of my icons but really pushes to help grow African fashion designers and showcase what we have to offer to the world. Working closely with her is a dream come true.

Attended São Paulo Fashion week SS18

Designed with Tayla Nguskos and made a luxury dress that was showcased in New York for Fashion 4 Development.

Designed ball gowns for the Miss Sundowns 2018 contestants.

Source: @chesney_williams on Instagram

What are some of the most exciting things about being a young designer in South Africa?

Right now it is extremely exciting to be a young designer in South Africa! Africa is on the rise and more than ever as designers and creatives we are being taken serious and the world is finally recognising the amazing work we create. We have the opportunity to speak to the world and showcase our crafts and inspiration.

Source: @chesney_williams on Instagram

Is there a city that inspires you?

Marrakech Morocco! I still have not been able to go but this in one city that inspires me through and through! From the culture through to the architecture of the buildings and doors as well as there patterned tiles.

What was the inspiration behind your latest collection?

Our AW19 collection was inspired by the African wildflowers. We explored the flora under our African Sun and went to Kirstenbosch gardens which provided us with vast inspiration into colours, shapes, textures and patterns.

Mothers… What would we be without the women who raise, love and celebrate us? I know I would never have made it without my mother and all the other women in my life who have willingly and lovingly stepped in to play the role.

So to all the mothers, grandmother, aunties, older sisters, we love you and we wish you all a wonderful mothers day. The world wouldn’t be the same without your love.